Despite the volatility of the market, Stuttgart-based logistics company – Agility Logistics GmbH – has managed not just to overcome the recent challenges but also to increase its business capacities. In its day-to-day operations, the company arranges the collection of auto parts from the European suppliers before consolidating deliveries at its modern logistics facility in the area of Korntal-Münchingen near Stuttgart. The demanded goods are then shipped overseas by on-board courier or air freight depending on the level of urgency.
The successful growth of the company in the past year and the following expansion of the company’s handling capacities resulted in the search for new optimal solutions with regard to the fleet of material handling equipment. The electric forklifts were suddenly required to work more hours than previously. The initial ideas included equipping the existing fleet of electric trucks with extra batteries and holding more trucks in reserve. However, both solutions implied time constraints. The final decision was made with the assistance of the local Hyster dealer. Agility has chosen to almost completely replace its fleet of electric forklifts with new Hyster H1.8FT LPG truck versions. As a result, the new fleet is now conducting the scheduled maintenance, providing smooth operations. All the forklifts can run without interruption, eliminating the need for additional reserve vehicles. Though LPG trucks come with higher maintenance costs and a 15-20% higher initial cost, the situation, when you don’t need extra batteries or additional electric trucks, provides a lower total cost of ownership.
Such a positive outcome is a vivid example of a well thought-out business development strategy. Also, it serves as an argument in the favor of Hyster handling machines from the brand’s authorized dealer, as they proved to be progress-boosting tools in case of appropriate use.
